HOW TO REGISTER A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP

 

1.         WHERE TO REGISTER

Domestic partners can register with any Local Registrar of Vital Statistics in any municipality throughout the State of New Jersey.  Domestic partners do not have to register in the municipality in which they live.  A list of Local Registrars is available by accessing the Department of Health and Senior Services website at http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/regbycnty.shtml

 

2.         REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERING A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP

Couples wishing to register a Domestic Partnership must be same sex couples over the age of 18 or opposite sex couples who are both 62 years of age or older.  Couples must meet the following requirements:

a.         Couples must share a common residence in New Jersey or in any other jurisdiction provided that at least one of the applicants is a member of a New Jersey State-administered retirement system;

b.         Both persons must agree to be jointly responsible for each other’s common welfare as evidenced by joint financial arrangements or joint ownership of real or personal property;

c.         Both persons must agree to be jointly responsible for each other’s basic living expenses during the domestic partnership;

d.         Neither applicant can be in a marriage recognized by New Jersey law or a member of another domestic partnership;

e.         Neither person can be related to the other by blood or affinity up to and including the fourth degree of consanguinity;

f.          Both persons must agree to share each other’s lives in a committed relationship of mutual caring;

g.         Neither applicant has terminated another domestic partnership within the last 180 days. (This prohibition does not apply when a previous partnership ended due to the death of the other partner).

h.         Couples must bring a fully executed Affidavit of Domestic Partnership with them or they can complete the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership at the time of Registration.

 

3.         AFFIDAVITS OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP

a.         Where to obtain an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership

a1.       An Affidavit of Domestic Partnership form must be obtained from a Local Registrar of Vital Statistics in any municipality throughout the State of New Jersey.  The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership does not have to be obtained (or filed) in the municipality in which the domestic partners reside.

b.         Completion of Affidavit of Domestic Partnership

b1.       The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership must be completed and signed by both applicants at the same time, in front of a notary public.  (The staff of the South Orange Registrar’s office are all notaries).

b2.       When completing the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership before a notary public each applicant must provide valid identification that establishes name, age and date of birth (ie. a certified copy of a birth certificate, a driver’s license, military identification or a state/county ID card).

b3.       When completing the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership with a Local Registrar, applicants must also provide the following:

b3a.     Proof of residence.  If the residence is outside the State of New Jersey, at least one of the applicants must provide proof of membership in a New Jersey State-administered retirement system by providing one of the following documents issued by the Division of Pension and Benefits:

b3a1.   a personal benefits statement from the current of previous year

b3a2.   a 1099R from the current or previous year, or

b3a3.   a certificate of pension membership

b3b.     Proof of joint financial responsibility, evidenced by at least one of the following documents:

b3b1.   joint deed, mortgage agreement or lease;

b3b2.   joint bank account;

b3b3.   designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary

in the other person’s will;

b3b4.   designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary in the other person’s insurance policy or retirement plan; or

b3b5.   joint ownership of a motor vehicle.

c.         Filing the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership

c1.       The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership must be filed with the Local Registrar in the municipality in which the Domestic Partnership will be registered.

c2.       The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership must be filed at the time of registration of the Domestic Partnership.

 

4.         FEE FOR REGISTRATION OF A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP

a.         The fee for registration of a Domestic Partnership is $28.00.  (This is a Statewide fee).

 

5.         APPOINTMENTS FOR REGISTRATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED

To insure the presence of one of the authorized individuals to register Domestic Partnerships, appointments are recommended.  Appointments may be made during working hours, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Appointments may be made by calling the Clerk’s office at 973-378-7715 ext. 7724.

 

If you have any questions about registering a Domestic Partnership, please call the Clerk’s office at 973-378-7715 ext. 7724.